Stuck at a marathon, four-hour, Bethlehem Planning Commission meeting, I missed all but a handful of the thirty-three speakers who addressed Northampton County Council last night. But most of them - like Ron "I'll be brief" Heckman and Charles "Don't call me Charlie" Dertinger, were repeats. One newcomer was the inflatable union rat, which stood leering outside the Courthouse.Earlier that day, union negotiators refused to negotiate any give backs unless the County guaranteed that any new owner would be stuck with both the union and all the obscene benefits (like a 1700% increase in pension costs) that converted Gracedale into a County money pit. They actually took a step backwards. So when I saw that rat, I actually thought of them immediately.
In addition to the rat, another newcomer last night was County Controller Steve Barron. He only rarely bothers to attend Council or Finance Committee meetings, but there he was last night, dressed in his Sunday best. "I'd rather be with the people behind me than the person in front of me," he boomed. That person was County Council Prez Ron Angle. Barron has no solutions to the County's $10 million hole, but he is politically ambitious, and this was the perfect way to pander a few union votes when he runs for Executive.
Barron might want to ask Ann McHale and Charles Dertinger how that worked out for them.
Steve left last night walked out without bothering to listen to members of Council and the Administration. They had things to say, too. He certainly has the right to speak, but every right has a corollary obligation, and in this instance it's the obligation to listen. Even State Rep. Rich Grucela, who opposed the sale of Gracedale, had enough respect for Northampton County officials to stick around and listen to what they had to say.
Had Steve stuck around, he would have heard from Council member Tom Dietrich, who spent the last two weeks visiting three nursing homes sold by Dauphin (sold 3 years ago), Northumberland (8 months ago) and Lackawanna (4 months ago) Counties. He learned that the longer a nursing home has been in private hands, the better it operates. At a minimum, residents report that the level of care is the same. In many cases, they are very complimentary because there is much more therapy in privately run facilities. Two of three homes have increased employment, and many are the same people who previously had been employed by the County. All facilities had increased the number of Medicaid, i.e. indigent, residents. "They are happy to be caring for people instead of talking to politicians," said Dietrich. "The people who bought these facilities are in the business of running a nursing home. We're in the business of running a government. It's time for Gracedale to get rid of the County." Dietrich told me after the meeting that many R.N.s are collecting their County pensions while being paid as nurses in a now privater facility.
Barron also missed Fiscal Affair Director Vic Mazziotti, who told Council that the swaption buyout, which I discussed yesterday, has now risen to $18 million. Although the County did finish last year with $49 million, that number is deceptive. When the $6 million to run Gracedale is deducted, the figure drops to $43 million. When the increasing swaption is deducted, as it must be under new GASB 54 rules, the unrestricted fund drops to $23 million. And when $20 million is set aside as a stabilization, or rainy-day fund, the County is left with just $3 million. And this fund must be used to pay for salary and benefit increases being negotiated with unions.
Bruce Gilbert then introduced a resolution asking County Executive John Stoffa to seek proposals for the sale or lease of Gracedale. Gilbert told everyone that "the residents are clearly in your heart," but Council has an obligation to look at "each and every option."
"This is the vote to sell Gracedale," announced Lamont McClure. "To say otherwise is disingenuous." He then told the 150+ audinece, made up mostly of union Gracedale workers and politicians sensing an opportunity, that the Stoffa administration is sacrificing "our sick and elderly" in favor of a Bethlehem Township treatment center for "drug dealers we want to rehabilitate." His evidence? One, Stoffa wants to build a three hundred bed treatment facility in bethlehem Township. Two, the current budget has no money. Three, the sale of Gracedale will enable the funding for that "prison" in Bethlehem Township.
Even Peg Ferraro, who wants Gracedale to remain in County hands, was appalled by McClure. "Put the treatment center aside," she cautioned. "That is a problem for another day." Bruce Gilbert compared McClure's remarks to the yellow journalism practiced in the past. "Be careful when someone throws out a treatment center when we're supposed to be talking about what is best for the [Gracedale] residents. ... That's like saying a library is created by an exposion of a paper mill and ink factory. Let's refrain from being childish and let's take care of business."
Fortunately, Gilbert never mentioned the yellow journalism being practiced by bottom-feeding bloggers like me.
Gilbert's resolution passed 6 to 2, with McClure and Ferraro opposed. Vacationing Ann McHale was absent, but would likely have been opposed, too. Peg Ferraro then introduced a resolution for proposals seeking a management firm for Gracedale, but that was rejected.
After last night's lengthy meeting, Deputy Sheriffs escorted most Council members and Stoffa to their cars as the air was being let out of the inflatable rat, which was no longer grinning. But there was no escort at Tic Toc Diner, where many Gracedale advocates continued their discussions with a few Council members and Stoffa. The debate was still raging as I left, but I'm pretty sure they were all trying to stick Angle with their bill.
120 comments:
I really hope they enjoy their last months with the titles of council member and council president......they will be voted out for this debacle
I admit, I was surprised by Steve Barron "losing it"and playing the union card with Angle. I think Gracedale is gone and will no doubt be sold by the end of the year.
Still, Steve should have stayed to listen to the reports. I know both Rrich Grucela and Ron Heckman asked Council to save Gracedale but I feel they were sincerely speaking from their long experience with the County and I saw that they stayed and listened to the Council reports. Fair enough.
It is a very emotional topic and while some may play politics, I don't think everyone speaking to save Gracedale was looking to score political points.
The Home deserves the intense discussion that is being had.
sell the white elephant and get rid of the greedy union.all they are good for is blowing up rats and sucking the life out of the county
why not a private management team? it works in LeCo
Why can't they bring in ancillary services...such as PT, Physiatry, Pain Management etc. to serve the residents and thus generate revenue?
When are Americans going to realize unions are not in it for their members. How many businesses have closed because unions refused to
reduce benefits.
And there's Grucela; advocating for higher taxes to cover more out of control government spending. I wish he'd take his slop bucket of pensions and bitter contempt for taxpayers and retire to the bridge commission or somewhere else where he can continue taking and taking while contributing nothing. It's paying for guys like him that force these hard decisions.
While I don't agree with selling
Gracedale, Mr. Barron, must realize in his position as County Controller, he must remain independent. Therefore, he should not have commented. I still believe selling the Prison is a smarter move for the county. It sounded similar to Ronald Reagan "Mr. Angle;, tear down that Wall "
Grucela was part of the problem. The state reps cut Gracedale state funds.
Charles "Dirtbagenger" was a lame duck, and he refused to raise taxes last to further fund it.
Without politicians in-charge, Gracedale will be allowed to bloom again to it's full potential.
Steve Barron was speaking from his position as Controller and also from his heart-his grandmother is a resident at Gracedale!!!
Ron Angle was speaking from his wallet/bank accounts-raising property taxes would cost him mega-bucks on all of his properties-$$$??? His uncle is also a resident at Gracedale. Does he care, does this matter? NO!!!!$$$$$
Folks, there seem to be three issues which shoulda/coulda have been addressed that might have kept us from getting to this place.
1) Past profits were thrown into the general fund instead of being managed properly as a business would have to do to remain viable.
2) Gracedale has not been properly used or promoted for temporary rehab/treatment which is the real bread and butter of private facilities.
3) Union greed. They just can't help themselves and don't understand that some restraint could be a good thing.
It just proves that government always undercuts itself and recognizes the problem when it's too late to do anything. It's a shame because there is much good about Gracedale.
"I know both Rrich Grucela and Ron Heckman asked Council to save Gracedale but I feel they were sincerely speaking from their long experience with the County and I saw that they stayed and listened to the Council reports."
Agreed. And I respect them, even if I tease Ron H for being lengthy. But I do not respect a Controller who only rarely goes to Council or committee meetings, who never stays for the length of a meeting, who has no audit report, but is using his office to essentially pander votes. I saw through it and so did many others, including some of the union voters he was hoping to attract.
"why not a private management team? it works in LeCo"
It doesn't. LC is losing $2.3 MM this year at cedarbrook. But the County would be willing to try private management if the union agreed to $6 MM ingive backs. They were unwilling and chose instead to bring the rat that reminds me of them.
"Why can't they bring in ancillary services...such as PT, Physiatry, Pain Management etc. to serve the residents and thus generate revenue?"
This would be a great help, but is not enough according to the consultant. We still would need those givebacks. and private management.
"I still believe selling the Prison is a smarter move"
That would be great. maybe bring back guillotines. The reality is that the County has a Constitutional obligation to provide for the Courts, and that includes the jail. We do not have any obligation, constitutional or statutory, to provide a nursing home. Now nobody in County government wants to see Gracedale residents suffer a lesser quality of care and indigent seniorsmust have a place. if those two concerns can be addressed, it appears likely Gracedale will be sold.
"Steve Barron was speaking from his position as Controller"
That's the point. Where waqs his audit report? He had none. he was pandering.
Steve Barron's creative accounting is part of what has caused this. If his granny has to move in with him, it's because he failed to do his job effectively and provided poor advice. Instead, he blames Stoffa and Angle and Gilbert.
And Peg Ferraro took a safe vote when she knew the numbers supported the fiscally responsible position, and once again demonstrated she's nothing remotely close to a leader.
But I believe she is following her conscience. I'll even say McHale is following her conscience. I cannot say that about people like McClure or Barron.
Bernie
Please have Open Mike Friday. There are some issues we would like to post regarding local issues but are not within this topic.
And what happens when you are the only person in the discussion? I'll experiment with it on the weekendandsee what happens.
Grucela, McClure and Barron were more concerned about the union votes than the residents, or the taxpayers.
If the union would give back 1/3 of their benefits (they would still be above the national average for nuring homes!) the Gracedale budget would be balanced and the home could remain in county hands.
McClure, Barron and Grucela were saying that it is better to raise taxes on the 110,000 county taxpayers than to ask the 600 union members to reduce their benefits. What pandering!! I hope the voters remember that when the election rolls around!
It would make sense to have this on the ballot in November.
It's really up to the taxpayers. Want Gracedale? Pay for it. If not, let the board sell or lease it.
To drag patients in wheel chairs to the court house at this time of night ad to terroize them with false claims that the county is closing Gracedale is dispicable behavior. To allow these patients to think that they would have no home and not correcting this falsehood is even worse. This is not about patients it is about selfish greedy employees and unions who can`t compete elsewhere -who care more about themselves than any other person. Their behavior is like a rat...eating anything they can get from some one else-the taxpayers. They are nothing but a mob a gang of bullies.
And Barron would rather stand with assholes like that? Shame on him.
Sell it already..The union members had their shot in the last election..They all decided to sit home and do nothing and they got Angle as president of a Republican council. maybe they'll remember this and get their friends and families out to vote in the next election.
No need for a referendum. Would be expensive and not legally binding, anyway. Voters spoke clearly in favor of fiscal responsibility last November. The vote was 6-2; not exactly controversial. Elections have consequences. They're doing exactly what I and the majority voted for them to do. Imagine that.
McClure and Dertinger could have voted for a modest tax increase last year and maybe this would have been avoided..If my memory serves me correctly , the administration requested it and it was rejected by almost all , if not all, of council..Peg supported the idea, I believe, and she was right to do so..Do they need to tighten their belts..Yes. Do they need a small increase to avoid this mess again next year..yes they do..
Voters didn't speak last year 1102.. They sat on their asses..That is why we got this council..Stop with the fiscal responsibility bullshit!
Bernie O'Hare said...
And what happens when you are the only person in the discussion? I'll experiment with it on the weekendandsee what happens.
10:49 AM
We can only ask. Today's local news headlines include a tragic story that in one respect shows neglect at a municipal level. That is the type of topic we ask you to consider. If you don't like our post, you simply delete them.
SELL IT!
Bernie
Some say the mosque at Ground Zero was introduced into the public fray as a way to divert attention from
other critically important issues. Is it possible Gracedale is also being used in similar fashion?
10:53 makes an excellent point. It is up to the taxpayers. I can't help but think that if open space is important enough for referendum, this is a no-brainer.
The result may well be that we consider providing for our own, in their twilight years, a priority over a treatment center for losers, open space, fancy court-houses, overpaid and underworked judges, overtime-abusing prison guards and nurses, luxurious public retirements and all the other excesses of county government. We may believe Gracedale can be reformed and run more efficiently and that, if necessary, is more worthy of subsidy than the aforementioned chronically overfunded and underperforming departments that grow because politicians and unions tell us we need them.
Or, it may be that we prefer the easy one-time band-aid for what is accepted as a government that is above real reform and should just keep getting more money when they piss away what we've already given them.
My post certainly indicates how I feel but, whether we keep-and-reform or sell it off, a consideration of this signifcance is worthy of more than being left to pandering politicians from both sides of the aisle.
If you do a referedum ( if it's even possible at this late date) you have to watch how it's worded. If you say, " Would you like to say the home for the aged and infirm" by paying an extra $1.00 a week in taxes"? It will pass.. If you say, " Do you want to close Gracedale and save $20 million that will pass". So good luck with that..
As you said, you missed most of the speakers, only caught the last few, if you would have been there you would know that afscme agreed to give 3mill in concessions in return for a safety clause and angle wanted nothing to do with it. Also, one of our RN's that was at the last meeting put her idea for a cost reduction committee into action with 40 other employees and found ways to save about 1 mill within Gracedale walls. Administrator Marvin Granda also spoke and said he put forth a report for money saving proposals four months ago and never received a reply. For a little help with your math that's 4 million dollars, and we were told to come up with 6, and that was without the steelworkers negotiations. Now, Jerry Green should have already negotiated and it should have been his top priority but he said he had other business, and that was that. Given a chance I'm sure they could have rounded up 2 million bucks. I voted by the way, and it was not for the king slumlord of the Slatebelt. Whats done is done, and we just wait and see now.
Not say the home, save the home..Sorry..
Bernie
Since you seem to at the computer right now, what's going on with that Callahan phone log list? Also, have you considered a Callahan/Dent unscientific poll? Might be fun.
No word yet on the open records appeal.
We elect a council to make these decisions. Those wanting a referendum simply want to revisit the clear results of last November's election. Gracedale has been debated ad nauseam by numerous councils. This council is doing exactly what a majority of voters in the last election wanted. Democracy's a bitch.
NEWS: Audit shows city of Bethlehem couldn't pay '09 bills.
Speaking of politics: Can't imagine
Dent won't use this headline:
Bernie:
Maybe you can shed some light on the subject as to why this isn't a taxpayer decision. I understand that we elected County Council, and as such, they "represent" taxpayer interests. However, in a decision this big that will impact so many people, shouldn't it be put to a vote come election time? It seems to be so much bigger than allowing County Council to make a decision that will effect Northampton County residents for years to come.
1200 people effected should go to a resolution, but a tax on 300,000 people should OK by council?
Wouldn't it have made more sense to put this issue on the ballot in Nov? Or would Angle not be able to get his palms greased that way?
Put it on the ballot and let the taxpayer decide!!!!
It was on the ballet last year. Some county council people campaigned privatizing Gracedale. Some promised to yank 100% of real estate taxpayer funding. Oh yeah, they won.
Wonder why Mchale wasn't there.
Duh! Plausible Deniablity.
Now everyone knows what some of us knew. Steve Barron is a talent less, small town, back room, political hack who is shamelessly politicizing the Controller's office. His employees are embarrassed to work for him.
Put it on the ballot!!!!
Agree. Barron really comes up small here. He's full of bad information and a political agenda; a real hack as it turns out.
THIS ISN'T A BALLOT QUESTION!!! Should we have a referendum every time council approves a tax hike? How about in every city, boro or township? Let's vote on every major decision an elected body makes! Oh wait, that is why we elected them in the first place. Unions failed to get their candidates elected and now they will suffer the consequences.
The longer it takes to get this done the harder it will be to do so..This council wont be able to handle the pressure..We'll see. Should be interesting..They better move quickly..
"They better move quickly"
I am sure they have a buyer already. Remember Bernie himself said that Angle was fielding calls from perspective buyers for a few weeks.
I am sure he already worked out the best deal for him...errrr...I mean the county.
They wouldn't have moved forward without some things already in place.
It is all about the kickbacks my friends.
And yes this should be a ballot issue, only because of the impact of the decision.
There are certain issues in which everyone should have their say.
No one dragged the Residents to the
meeting. They wanted to attend and it is their right as human beings and citizens of this County and Nation and they didn't want to leave until it was over. They had a right to be heard.
The Employees of Gracedale were and are willing to make concessions on Benefits and Contributions however the problem is we don't know what the figures are...first we were told 75% torward health benefits and then last night we were told 1/3 torward benefits...however what does that amount to? Secondly Mr Angle said they didn't want to decrease our Wages or take our raise away and yet that is not what we were told and that is not what the Newspapers reported. Don't blame the employees...we are not ignorant, greedy and unrealistic people...we realize we are not immune to what is gong on in the world however it should be all County Employees Union and Non who should be contributing more for their Health Benefits and atleast ASCME Union Members with the Union and on their own prior discussed ways we could give back coming up from the start with 3 million...and we are the little guys...Until you know all the facts you shouldn't be so quick to judge us and ask yourself why weren't we employees given ample time and a written request as to what we needed to do. We are human beings here. If Council would have given us a fair chance and used every avenue to save us and the County Home I would respect their decision however in todays world the County did to us what Corporations do to their employees everyday...suck the life out of you and then kick you to the curb. We have families, homes, responsibilities and children and I was raised to be loyal to my employer, work hard, respect authority etc. and my hard work and loyalty would pay off. I also would like to say I never met Mr Angle...only what I read and I must say that what I have heard about him is true...he is sarcastic, demeaning and a hot head...he wanted us to treat him with respect and he had no problem demeaning the citizens and other council members. I wish every citizen would watch his behavoir on line and ask themselves if this is really the kind of person they want making decisions for them and the type of person they want representing the county.
At the end of last night's meeting, Phil Lauer told Councl what I had suspected - it woulb be perfectly legal to place this issue on the ballot. I'm not entirely convinced bc the power of referdum does not extend to capital projects, and Gracedale strikes me as a capital project. But enabling dirct democracy like this is one of the reasons for Home Rule.
I doubt that five Council members are willing to agree to a referendum because time is of the essence and putting it on the ballot will make a tax increase all but a reality.
But under the Home Rule Charter, any 12 registered voters can petition to get the ball rolling. To get it on the ballot, you'd need 10% of the County's registered voters to sign that petition. So tho thse of who who are unalterably opposed to the sale of Gracedale, where are your leaders?
"Don't blame the employees...we are not ignorant, greedy and unrealistic people..."
I believe you, but it's pretty low to cart in residents in wheelchairs. If you think that did anything but diminish you, think again.
"It is all about the kickbacks my friends."
And if there were one iota of truth to this, I'd join any effort to prosecute and disgrace the council members who are responsible. But this is preciselt the kind of misinformation Bruce Gilbert warned against last night.
"Barron really comes up small here."
Two weeks ago, Steve Barron told me he could not speak on this issue bc he would be pandering. But he did it last night.
Barron differs from Angle and the administration and felt the need to talk about it. That does not make him a hack. He is presenting information that might not see the light of day otherwise. Why has Angle and Stoffa turned on him? Do they have something to hide?
"Why has Angle and Stoffa turned on him? Do they have something to hide?"
Forgive me because I was not at the meeting, I was busy working my union gig. But did Angle not say to Barron "you are done"?
Can someone confirm this, and if this is fact why the threats?
Why don't you get off your lazy ass and watch the video of the meeting? That is why it's there. Barron had just finished insulting Angle, and had done exactly what he had said he would not do, acknowledging himself that we would be nothing more than a panderer.
Barron is done. Stoffa stopped trusting him some time ago, but I was idiotic enough to think he was intersted in the right thing.
He has shown his true colors. He has stood with McClure and Dertinger and against good government.
"Barron is done. Stoffa stopped trusting him some time ago, but I was idiotic enough to think he was intersted in the right thing."
He is in fact elected just like the rest of them...right?
I guess we will find out at election time.
"Why don't you get off your lazy ass and watch the video of the meeting?"
I am on my way to Panera right now so I can mooch off their WiFi for a few hours. No offense!!
"He is in fact elected just like the rest of them...right?"
Yes, but unlike the rest of them, he just abused his office by trying to make a case with no accompanying audit.
"I am on my way to Panera right now"
You'd never do that bc you are, after all, an anonymous coward.
Barron must be on to something. Why does Ron need to threaten him?
Ron Angle didn't threaten anyone. He saw through Mr. Barron and let him know it. I don't want to be an I told you so but I told you so! I told our Republican leaders in 09 we could not only take the County Council but Executive as well and with a good Republican at the head of the ticket we would have but we were told Stoffa was recommended by Ron.
I said we can get a Republican Controller in, since Barron only won by a couple votes after the Schimmel scandal. I said he is a Long Dem just like Dertinger and McClure. Some Republicans and Bernie said no he is great he is different, well don't be so dumb. Now you see.
He is a young Dem pol on the make. He had to talk because his political consultant Mike Fleck said he was missing an opportunity. Barron has said the Republicans won't run anyone against him for Controller and then he will have a clear run for County Executive. This is another Long Dem like Callahan and the others looking for a life career as an elected official by collecting contributions and handing out perks.
Well, I am glad Ron exposed the guy as an opportunist political hack who saw an opportunity to get some applause lines in for votes.
So why the Hell didn't he do an audit if he was so concerned? He is the Controller. Hell, I feel some of the blame for the Gracedale mess is his. Where The Hell has he been for the last few years. Good job Ron and Bernie stop sleeping at the switch. Amen!
I certainly deserve that. I supported and defended Steve, especially to those who claimed he was a mole supplying information to Dertinger, McClure & McHale.
I have watched his speech and could not believe the way he insulted both Stoffa and Angle, and with financial information that is clearly inaccurate. Vic Mazziotti quietly demonstrated that. He actually implied that Stoffa was misleading people about his so-called huidden costs.
This Controller has been far too political and has been spending too much of his time on the taxpayer dime, plotting political strategy with his buddies. But now he has decided to come out and attack both Stopffa and Angle, and without a frickin; audit or anything from the real accountants in his office. He made it very political and very clear where he stood. It's not with the residents or workers of Gracedale, although I'm sure they think that. It's with the Dertingers and McClures.
Wait a minute. They had gracedale employees and wheelchair bound residents there? How did they all get there? Were county busses used by off shift employees? Or, did they put themselves in for OVERTIME?
What are barron's qualifications for his job?
Vic said that he agreed with the Controller. I watched the video as too. They disagree on setting aside money for Gracedale. They don't want to send anything on Gracedale. They were happy to take the profits all those years.
I think Barron should be comended for speaking up and not hiding from these bullies.
Hasn't he audited things like overtime and weren't the recommendations from that audit used at the prison and Gracedale to save money?
That's not what Vic said at all. I've laid out exactly what Vic said in this post, and I was there. There is no money to pay for Gracedale.
As for Barron's OT audit, his recommendation was to hire more people. That recommendation was ignored and the County instead shortened the shift change overlap. Had his recommendation been followed, the County would be hurting even more right now.
Mission accomplished, Barron's hissy fit did more to ruin Gracedale then help it. Had he used his office to come up with financial solutions instead of a last minute political stunt he would have better served the union and Gracedale.
The funny thing is these union idiots think he helped with his little speech. Shows why they ran Ann McHale and she was destroyed, not a clue.
Mr O'Hare...as for your comment regarding the Residents that came to the county council meeting...it was what they wanted to do...no one dragged them there and as CITIZENS of this COUNTY and of this NATION they had every right to attend the meeting and my hats off to the employees that were willing and able to give them the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns...after all this does affect and concern them also. One of the Residents there regularly attends Union Meetings of which she was a member to reconnect with old friends and I might add that when she attends these functins it is the beauticians at Gracedale that do her hair. I don't think anyone although I can't confirm went to Gracedale to speak with the Residents about their intentions as did no one really speak to the employees except within the last few weeks. Why is it such a discrace to have these capable people who are able to express their opinions be at a meeting to which every citizen is given the opportunity to attend...just because they are in a Nursing Home doesn't mean they shouldn't be afforded the same right we all had to speak our opinions and I might add I am sure it wasn't easy for them to be there for that amount of time and the people who brought them wanted to take them home sooner however they insisted on staying until the vote. I am very proud of them for standing up for themselves, their home and their caretakers.
I will respond to the last post. I was at the meeting and watched Mr Angle throughout. When the woman from Gracedale spoke about it being "her" home, Mr. Angle rolled his eyes. When others spoke he looked at the ceiling or jotted on something on his desk. He seemed very disconnected and in my opinion rude. I don't have an interest in the sale or retainng of the facility, I was there on a research project for a class I teach. I would however, be concerned if I lived in your county regarding the representation you have elected. This is just an observation. I have attended 3 other meetings and have noticed the same mannerisms.
Those meetings did not have Gracedale on the agenda.
We are trained to tell if students are disconnected in the classroom. In this forum as well as in the other 3 meetings I attended Mr. Angle fit all the criteria. I have other opinions based on my observations of Mr. Angle however I will not share those as it wouldn't be fair to him in his absence.
I feel I owe you an explanation. I am originally from Bethlehem PA I went to Monocacy School, Northeast Jr. High, Liberty and then SUNY Binghamton. I teach Civics/History classes in Poughkeepsie. This in case you were going to tell me to "keep out of our affairs". I have extended family throughout the valley and spend time here in the summer. Thank you for providing this forum.
Angle was right on when the unioneers applauded Marvin Granda. He is the management that has kept Gracedale from moving forward and they are clapping for the guy who has helped throw them out. I thought Angle was going to have a heart attack, he couldn't believe the guy that screwed up Gracedale was cheered.
Do any of these folks have to take an IQ test.
If this "manager" was doing his job there wouldn't be a crises to begin with. God awful management.
Barron did present a solution. 3 million in concessions and 3 million from the fund balance. He claims that can be done without raising taxes. His point is as valid as Ron's. So he at least had an idea.
Looks like that idea might get another look. Stoffa is now considering forming a true independent committee of 5 experts to look at Gracedale. Seyfried and Heckman were good suggestions to be part of the committee.
Stoffa will consider it... Why won't Angle is the question? Maybe because all those people will finally see this for what it really is!
I beleive MR Granda(who was the Fiscal Administrator) recently took over as Administrator of Gracedale after the retirement of the previous administrator and assistand administrator. I don't know the exact date but I beleive it was in 2009 and then the Risk Manager was promoted to the assistant administrator recently and honestly no one who works at Gracedale gets how that happened. And if these people wern't capable or qualified why were they given these positions...who made these decisions???
Angle = Napoleon
Not Bonaparte
Orwelles
"Barron did present a solution. 3 million in concessions and 3 million from the fund balance."
Yeah, and he is completely wrong, as the Director of Fiscal Affairs demionstrated. There is no $3 MM from the fund balance. There is nothing, except monety that needs to be paid for increases in union contracts. He's a grandstander, and was playing games with the numbers. That's why not one of his staff prepared this supposed report.
"Stoffa is now considering forming a true independent committee of 5 experts to look at Gracedale."
That's bullshit. What he's doing is getting that RFP out and wants it back yesterday.
"When the woman from Gracedale spoke about it being "her" home, Mr. Angle rolled his eyes."
That's because the union rats carted her in. She has no cluie that Gracedale will continue to be her home, but is being spoonfed misinformation alomg with her medications.
"no one dragged them there and as CITIZENS of this COUNTY and of this NATION they had every right to attend the meeting and my hats off to the employees that were willing and able to give them the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns..."
It was a disgusting display, and your hats are off to employees who probably used county vans and charged the county for their efforts.
You know, this happens all the time in the private sector. Facilities, companies, entire corporations go up for sale all the time. The only difference is that the workers usually have absolutely no say in the matter. They are informed by management and then they can only wait and have that sick feeling in the pit of their stomach. Been there, done that...
Their fear isn't necessarily about losing jobs, if the facility is essential or making a profit (nobody is shutting Gracedale down). It's about the next contract negotiations and the possibility of no raise, less benefits, and a change in the pensions and work rules. Just like the poor wheelchair bound lady isn't going to lose her home, the employees are not going to lose their jobs. But things will change... heck, I bet quite a few voted for "change" just like their union told them to.
Upper management and the administration are the one's that are most likely to lose their jobs. The new owners may have their own staff that knows how to make a facility work. The union was essentially fighting to keep these jobs... the "devil" they know as opposed to devils/new owners they don't.
So what we had on display here was the angst that every other union worker has when they have to face change, only they don't get to go so public with it (for more on that display by someone who was there please read this)
And I think that sort of fretting is nothing compared to the struggles that small businesses go through daily in an economy like this.
Bernie - please share if and/or when you determine how the residents were transported to the meeting. And thanks for great work covering this.
Gracedale was a great opportunity for "government can do it better" folks to prove just that. Very manageable on a county level. They have done a good job for the residents, but not the taxpayer. There is only one conclusion that I keep coming to, over and over...
Government + Unions = Fiscal Mess
Check out the South Africa hospital strikes. Public unions at their finest. Obamacare ten years from now.Thank God for our free enterprise system!
Bernie and others,
The link that Wayne from 7:49 AM posted is worth looking at. It is an unique perspective. It was a nicely written piece with a refreshing outlook.
Peace, ~~Alex+
Steve Barron also has small children at home, as do I and sometimes you have to weigh the options and attend what you can. Bernie, sorry you have such a problem with unions. You and Ron Angle certainly have a lot in common. These employees are not making a huge amount of money, but people like you still talk about the union greed. It seems to me that County Exec. Stoffa could at least try and stay awake at these meetings, unlike two weeks ago when he was napping and nearly snoring. Why not make this a voter referendum and let the taxpayers decide?--Or better yet, allow the employees to purchase the facility outright and become partners? And for one of the several anonymous posts, Rich Grucela is retiring from the State House and I can only pray that he runs against Angle and cleans his crooked clock.
Mr. Barron let the people know about the audit he did that proved Mr. Stoffa and Mr. Angle were not telling the complete truth. I am glad he has a report that will let people know the real facts.
Will he make the report public soon or will Stoffa stop him from getting out the facts. He is the Controller and a financial expert and has the right to make his report public.
"Rick,"
If you want to make this a referendum issue, then get off yourr lazy ass and circulate a petition.
Angle and I do have a few things in common - we hate being held hostage by unions who scare residents and cart them to the courthouse in their wheelchairs. We really hate liars who falsely claim Stoffa was sleeping at the last meeting.
If Rich Grucela wants to run against Angle, he is welcome to try. That's democracy.
Barron has no audit bc he did no audit. He just played politics.
Barron did not do an audit. I will give you that Mr. O'Hare.
However, he can read a financial statement and his numbers and quotes come from the county financial statments done by council's external auditor and the administration.
Barron just read those reports and unraveled the web of numbers that the administration hoped people won't figure out.
For the record, we(as a Gracedale employee) clapped for Mr Granda because we were proud that he at least showed up. much of the administration did not. he has not been administrator very long and as it has been made very clear by Mr angle also, this problem has been there for years. to throw all the blame on Mr Granda is very unfair. Also, I believe he made an excellent point in saying that he is not the top of the administration...who does he answer too? who is his boss?, yes, that answer would be Stoffa, angle, and the rest of cc. And a petition is circulating.
To Sanctifying Grace---
*****Hi Alex, we miss You, You were the best:)***
Barron did no audit, relied on no external audit, but simply twisted what mazziotti had told him, and Mazziotti straightened that out later.
Gee Bernie, I try and be nice and civil, but you go off calling me names. Real nice and professional. You and Angle really are cut from the same pile of manure. I don't think it is appropriate to circulate petitions in Northampton when I live in Lehigh County. Do you really believe the residents were brought to Council against their wishes? Not sure what is less appetizing, you cozying up to Angle and holding his greasy hand or coddling golden boy Dent. Since you make the rules here, why don't you force individuals to use their name? Or at least you can change anonymous to gutless.
To Anon 5:31 PM,
Thank you. I miss all of you too! But there are better barbers than I. You guys are always in my prayers. I hope to stop back again and visit one day. I really enjoyed working at Gracedale! Please tell the whole gang that I say, "HELLO!"
Peace, ~~Alex+
"Rick", aka "Winston Smith", aka 3 AM Troll,
"Gee Bernie, I try and be nice and civil, but you go off calling me names."
Really? How about this?
" I can only pray that he runs against Angle and cleans his crooked clock."
You're a troll who doesn't even work at Gracedale or the County.
Anon 5:30
Barron couldn't read an audit report if his life depended on it and there was no web to unwind. You are a fool.
Anon 9:10 has it right. The union fools, always lose because they love goofs like Barron who plays to the crowd but has no substance. When substantive Democrats are around their eyes glaze over. Barron came in spun some crap and everyone clapped. Did he help you one bit? Other than a campaign speech did he have anything meaningful to say?
If he was really on the ball he would have done a real audit over the past two years and then he would be able to make a proper speech. And maybe even make a positive difference. Instead he played off the obvious union villain Angle for some cheap applause, wow!
He was told by the Long Dem's to get some union support by making a political speech. So Fleck coached him and another McClure, Dertinger, Barron Long Dem is heard from.
Yawn!@!!
Mr.O'Hare...the Union and the Employees did not scare the Residents. It was the Newspaper and the Media that put it all out there. We re-assured our Residents that they would not have to leave Gracedale if they sold it and that they weren't closing it. I can't believe you refer to us the way you do when you don't have a clue about any of us. It is hard enough these Residents had to leave their homes and families and come to Gracedale and get used to a whole new life and surroundings. They are Human beings who have bonded with their caretakers and they feel threatened that their environment will change once again...imagine that! For you to assume we used them as a tactic is really tasteless in my opinion. Those that attended that meeting have guts and I am sure it isn't the first time they spoke out in their lives about what was passionate to them...actually you and the rest of the world could learn alot from them if any of you decided to take the time...they have alot of stories to tell and many lessons learned...after all they lived through alot of hard times that none of us have really seen in our time..the Depression, Wars, Epidemics ect..they know all too well how the world operates. I think also your comment about dragging them in in wheelchairs is degrading to them, it wasn't low of us to do that, it was only right that they be their and unfortunatley they aren't as able as we are so we did what we do daily...help the impaired and disabled function in daily life...what is so low about that???
1) No newspaper has reported that Gracedale residents will lose their homes. That fear was cereated by you, just as you created that very same fear in 1975.
2) I know very well weho you are and how you operate. I've seen it several times at Council meeting. You come to meetings yelling and screaming like the greedy person you are, you spread lies about Stoffa sleeping at A Council meeting, yopu even bring an inflatable rate that only reminds me of you.
3) You degraded these residents by lying to them and then carting them off to meetings so you can keep your union benefits. You clealry used them as a weapon and it was just as sickening as the human shield used by terrorists. In fact, how did they get there? Were county vehicles used? Did employees charge overtime so they can cart wheelchair-bound residents that they themselves scared?
I have been reading about Gracedale on LVR the past few weeks, and the comments pro/con have been enlightening. My own view has evolved as I have learned more.
On one hand, I hope the process plays out so the decision is based on logic rather than emotion. On the other hand, I hope it does not drag on indefinitely, or is "studied" to death. Do we really need another committee??
Right now "the unknown" (can we sell/lease it and still serve the residents?), and the "fear of the unknown" (will I lose may place to live? or, will I lose my job?) is driving some of the emotions on both sides of this issue.
That said, I think it was wise for Council to authorize the RFP. Without the facts, everyone stands on sand.
Wow, "Lighthouse" again agrees with the Stoffa Republican view. How un amazing.
9:58...Mr O'Hare..some of your post seem level headed and others remind me of someone I saw at the Council Meeting Thursday. I didn't work at Gracedale in 1975..I don't beleive in bullying and rambling on like you just did in your last post. I wouldn't use a Resident to get a point across or prey on the pitty of others...Don't you realize that when they talk about losing their home they aren't talking about the building in which they live...they are referring to the people they live with...a building doesn't make the home it is the people that make the home. See that is what people like you don't get..unless you work there you can't understand. You talk about terroristic moves and it is ridiculous the way you expressed yourself in that last post..however I guess it is your right to act that way just as it was the Residents Right to be at the meeting. You really don't give them enough credit...shame on you! And yes we employees are worried about your jobs just as everyother American is these days and not to be would make us unhuman. You seem to forget we have paid our way in society and we have families to care for and to attack us this way is really low. On my unit we reassured our Residents that they weren't closing Graceadle and they wouldn't have to leave their home and that they may replace some of us but not all of us. The one Resident that was there is a Union Gal and trust me..council meeting wasn't the first and last meeting she will attend. I am sure her former co-workers and union members are proud of her. As for the RAT..there was one in the courthouse and one on the outside (ha ha ha) sorry just had to taunt you a little really just to lighten things up. As for wether the employees got paid and who autorized the trip...couldn't tell you that either but I am sure they were paid and used the bus like they do for all other events the Residents attend...such as Playhouses which I might add are in the evening hours, Baseball and Football games, Dinners at Resteraunts etc..even so I don't think it really matters and atleast for one day last Thursday those Residents probably felt like they were part of the real world again hoping their words would make a difference. You can say what you want about us and probably not all of us are sincere but the Majority of Workers Really and Truly Care about the Residents and Gracedale.
Could you please tell MR Angle and MR Stoffa for me that my Aunts, Uncles, Parents and Grandparents said that "They don't own Gracedale" the tax payers do and it should be the tax payers who decide what to do with Gracedale. And they also said it is also the tax payers who pay their salary and all taxpayers including the employees who pay taxes at Gracedale to the county have every right to have a say it what happens to it. They say it is the one thing they know that in all their years of paying taxes that they may one day need and benefit from...these same people supported this county for decades.
"As for wether the employees got paid and who autorized the trip...couldn't tell you that either but I am sure they were paid and used the bus like they do for all other events the Residents attend...such as Playhouses which I might add are in the evening hours, Baseball and Football games, Dinners at Resteraunts etc..even so I don't think it really matters"
It matters a lot. You charged the County for your union activity. Pretty disgusting.
"Could you please tell MR Angle and MR Stoffa for me that my Aunts, Uncles, Parents and Grandparents said that "They don't own Gracedale" the tax payers do "
I see. Your grandparents said Angle doesn't own Gracedale. Do you realize how stupid you sound? Play your games somewhere else. Don't try your bullshit here. it won't fly.
What does fly is how Mr. Barron handed Angle and Stoffa their asses on a plate when he laid out the facts they were trying to hide.
That you cannot deny Mr. O'Hare
A freaking mathmatical genus that barron is.
Keep Gracedale and loose $6 million every year in deficit spending.
-or-
Pay a one time $4mill debt, and save $6mil each year after.
What would a cash strapped person do? Cut their losses?
I thought the Controller was the top money person in the County? Doesn't he know the most about finances?
Not by a long shot. I can think of several people better informed. Fiscal Affairs Director Mazziotti, Budget Analyst Hammon, Angle, Conklin, to name a few.
To 12:10...Mr. O'HARE....IT isn't BS...and you know it....and amazing how defensive you get when the truth is spoken. That is right...Gracedale belongs to the taxpayers.....
Knock it off, Barron is another pol on the make. he is in one position and already planning his next move. That is the problem. these guys never focus on the job they have because once elected they are already planning their next campaign. enough already. They pretend to love the employees looking for votes. Once in office if he was told by his campaign staff to cut people he would cut in a heartbeat.
We don't need to keep subsidizing the pretend careers of these goldbrickers.
dont blame barron, walt g was there and he had to entertain his master.
Barron is a fraud who works 2 hours a day if that !
Ah come on, I hear Steve works at least 3 hours every other day. when he isn't campaigning.
Hey Lighthouse
Couldn't help but comment on you sayng,
"it's been studied to death"
Did you know that in March of this year when Obama said he was going to allow more offshore drilling after the proposed areas were fully researched. Sarah Palin said we should move forward on this immediately. You know the "drill baby drill" mantra. Anyway she said let's start right away waste no time because,
"it's been studied to death"
LOL
Re my comment about "studying" it: after the 196 page study that was just paid for ( http://www.northamptoncounty.org/northampton/lib/Northampton/depts/countyexecutive/gdale_op_asmt_rept.pdf ), I was reacting to the article in the Express late last week, which to me read like Stoffa was game only as a process to get more people informed and on board, and if they chance to come up with something the professionals didn't, that's great too. Hence, my comment. How else do you read the below quote from the Express?
"Northampton County Executive John Stoffa is considering an offer from state Rep. Rich Grucela to convene a committee to study the future of the Gracedale nursing home...
...Angle quickly dismissed the idea, saying professional consultants just issued a report recommending selling or leasing the property as the best options to ease its ongoing cash flow problems.
But Stoffa said Friday night he isn't opposed to creating the committee and is seriously considering the offer. Stoffa ... saying people won't change the information, numbers or problems.
"If people get educated through the process, that is valuable," Stoffa said. "If people come up with something we haven't thought about, that is even better." "
While it appeared on my original typing, for some reason the link address for the Gracedale report did not all come across in my previous comment. Just google it, and you can get the pdf link from NorCo's site.
Post a Comment